Your favorite post of the week, month, year or even your latest post will all do. Whatever you are blogging about, we want to kn...

Breast Cancer Awareness

History and mission
The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October 1985 and was intended to increase awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection.

During NBCAM, women are encouraged to educate themselves about the disease, perform regular breast self-examinations, and schedule an annual mammogram.

The pink ribbon symbol
The first known use of the pink ribbon was in the fall of 1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed them out to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. In 1993, Evelyn Lauder (of Estée Lauder Inc.) founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and used the pink ribbon as its logo, popularizing the symbol and its association with the disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!

Early Detection Plan

The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. Create your Early Detection Plan to receive reminders to do breast self-exams, and schedule your clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history.

National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Early Detection iPhone App

The National Breast Cancer Foundation has released an iPhone app that helps women detect signs of breast cancer early. The app asks users specific questions about their age, family and health history, to determine how to best schedule self and professional exams.
The app details how to give yourself a self-exam. It also reminds women to perform monthly self-exams with push notifications, as well as clinical exams and mammograms.

What Is Beyond The Shock?

Beyond The Shock is a free, comprehensive, online guide to understanding breast cancer. It is a resource for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information.

My Breast Cancer Team

In late September, a new social network launched for women with breast cancer, called MyBreastCancerTeam. MyBreastCancerTeam gives women a network of others who’ve experienced the common experience of treatment. They can share feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated or scared.
The site is designed for women recently diagnosed, currently in treatment or a decade past their fight with cancer. MyBreastCancerTeam also has apps for Android and iOS.

Advanced Breast Cancer Community

There’s also an online community specifically for patients battling advanced breast cancer. AdvancedBreastCancerCommunity relaunched Oct. 1 with the help of 13 leading breast cancer advocacy groups, to provide resources for metastatic (stage IV) and advanced (stage III) breast cancer patients. These later form stages cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.